Beechwood School students receive Arts Awards

Appeal made for funding to help Slough students achieve their DJing dreams

The founder of a company that runs workshops teaching young people how to DJ is hoping for more funding so she can continue her work at a Slough school she described as ‘one of the best’ she’s worked at.

Julie Sacre, founder of DJ Workshops Ltd, has been teaching students at Beechwood School, in Long Readings Lane, the art of spinning the decks since April last year.

Every Friday morning, Julie sets up her equipment and runs two DJ classes for selected students.

Whether it be learning how to use old vinyl records or getting to grips with CD decks and headphones, students get the chance to learn all the skills behind DJing.

The workshops have been funded for the past year by the Heathrow Community for Youth Fund as part of the 'Yes You Can' project.

This sees grants of between £2501 and £25,000 handed out to groups around Heathrow with links to education and regeneration.

And now Julie wants to secure funding for the school so she can continue her workshops for the next three years.

She said: “It’s my favourite school that I have taught at in about 300. The atmosphere just makes me want to go back.

“It’s like a waiting list of kids that want to carry on. It has been wonderful to see the students grow in confidence and realise that they can achieve anything if they try.

“I’d like to go for three years of funding.”

Students have spent the year working towards the Bronze Arts Award.

And after the Key Stage 3 class achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, the future kings and queens of the decks received their certificates on Tuesday.

More funding could allow Julie to run a Silver and Gold Arts Award over the next few years and maybe even unearth the next Annie Mac or Fatboy Slim.